Jack Ellis Haynes purchased his first
motion picture camera in 1917  just two years after the first automobile passed
through the gates of Yellowstone. With this new chronicling instrument and a nostalgic
hunger resembling that of his father, official park photographer Frank Jay Haynes, Jack
set out to capture the reel spirit of this wonderland.

The following decade brought several
explosive changes to our first national park with new geyser discoveries,
enlarged boundary lines and telephone installations. Not long after celebrating
Yellowstones golden anniversary in 1922, the Northern Pacific Railway began to offer
virtual trips via the local cinema. These short films appealed to many who
soon wished they were there. As a result, attendance boomed dramatically with
increased thousands entering the park each year.

Today, we can still cherish this wonderful, early park footage. Thanks to the effort of
the Montana Historical Society, a special video has been released allowing us to "see
Jack Ellis Haynes 1920s restored motion picture of Yellowstone Park from this
bygone era in its glorious black and white splendor." Edited to twenty-seven minutes
in length, it contains a satisfying variety of attractions showing everything from flora
and fauna to lodging and entertainment.

A model replica of a volcanic eruption
introduces the prehistoric and geologic formation of the region. Fast-forward ten million
years and we find ourselves in a time when the iron-horse was a very popular mode of
transportation to and from the park. As described by the distributor, the viewer can
"revel with the first tourists riding the Northern Pacific train into Gardiner Depot
(and) pass through the Roosevelt Arch in an open-air bus." Once inside, the real
vacation begins.

Along with the familiar scenes of geysers,
falls and buffalo, one can also see for the first time attractions no longer available to
the modern-day tourist. The defunct Grand Canyon Lodge was once a spectacular overnight
stay providing all the necessary amenities. This silent video, accompanied by music of the
time, shows visitors enjoying the indoor pool and dancing to a four-piece orchestra.
Appolinaris Spring offers a natural and refreshing drink. Garbage dumpsites allure grizzly
bears as well as a very close and captive audience. And a young man is caught on film as
he amusingly tosses debris into a hot spring  not something we can legally see or do
now.

I especially enjoy "Magic
Yellowstone." For those who love Haynes scenic views, this video is like a
postcard flipbook bringing his classic images to life. Like the national park itself, this
video is definitely "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people."

As an Ohio visitor noted on an Old Faithful
postcard sent home 9-7-38, "Took motion pictures of this geyser a short time
ago." In a short time, you can obtain a copy of "Magic Yellowstone"
(www.his.state.mt.us/department/store/videos) and share in the thrill of it all just as
Jack Haynes, and countless others, did over seventy years ago.